Application Specialist - Western Michigan

Job Title: Application Specialist 

Company: GWS Tool Group

Department: Sales

Reports to: VP Of Sales

Classification: Exempt

Location: Western Michigan Territory

Travel: Travel Required

Job Summary:

We are seeking an Applications Specialist of Solid Round and Insert Cutting Tools. A successful representative is responsible for account management and generating new opportunities for the organization. The main task involves understanding customers' needs in metalworking, as well as educating customers, prospects, and distributors of GWS Tool Groups products and capabilities.  It is essential for the applications specialist to effectively provide detailed information on various products, programs or services offered by GWS Tool Group, but also clearly and effectively communicate what the customer needs back to the GWS Tool Group team.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• none

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Scheduling appointments, meeting existing customers in order to review customer applications and product requirements and to determine opportunities.

• Effective planning to conduct sales presentations by meeting customers physically on a daily basis.

• Liaising between the company and the customers for up-to-date conditions on pricing, service, and latest product release launches.

• Generating and developing prospect accounts to increase revenue, by partnering with the distribution chain.

• Continuously updating all customers on company product modifications, changes, and enhancements.

• Enhancing up to date knowledge on new products, procedures, services, and tools by attending departmental and training meetings.

• Maintaining professionalism, diplomacy, sensitivity, and tact to portray the company in a positive manner.

• Effectively attending conferences and trade shows.

• Using marketing data to maximize sales effectiveness and efficiency by using relevant sales management tools.

• Organizing joint sale calls and attending them with distributors.

• Preparing reports for sales and marketing and maintaining expense accounts.

• Updating and maintenance of customer accounts including contact names and numbers for future sales.

• With the help of inside sales support, provide product quotes to customers as needed.

• Ensuring follow-up after passing leads to managers with complete profile customer information, calls-to-action, sources, dates.

Education and Experience:

• 1-3 years Strong Manufacturing background with a focus in Milling, Turning, Grooving

• Knowledgeable in tooling and manufacturing process

• Ability to assist customers with processing parts and correct application of tools.

• Job shop experience is high in regard

• Assisting customers with proper speeds and feeds for materials used.

• Experience in designing special tools is highly regarded

• Experience processing customer parts from drawing to finished product.

• Account management for current customers

• Proven ability to develop new customers is ideal.

• Degree in any field of sales and marketing is highly regarded

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Capable of preserving confidential or sensitive information.

• Effective time management, organization and multi-tasking skills.

• Special people skills to deal with customers and an outgoing personality.

• Able to prospect new accounts.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Very good team player and should work well under pressure.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.

• Requires knowledge and some experience in own discipline through education and experience.  

• Has some knowledge of business and its various aspects but is still acquiring further knowledge and experience.

• No supervisory responsibilities; accountable for developing functional contribution.

• Uses existing procedures to solve standard problems; analyzes information and standard practices to make judgments. 

• Exchanges simple information, asks questions and checks for understanding.

• Use assigned methods, tools and processes. Support sharing of best practices.

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

• Must be able to travel.

• Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to travel 50% 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.